Dear Alice,
I have been
at Columbia for two years now and still suffer from terrible anxiety when it
comes to doing a presentation or speaking in class. When it comes to presenting
in front of my classmates I become so nervous that I can barely speak. I
perspire; there is minimal shaking; feel so embarrassed that it even makes me want to cry.
Any insight
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
— Can't
Speak in Class.
************
Dear Can't
Speak in Class,
Although
many people have a fear of public speaking, it sounds like the anxiety you
experience could be affecting your grades and career goals. You've already gone
through the hardest step: admitting that this nervousness thing isn't working
out for you. Luckily, because so many people share your anxiety, there are lots
of options to help deal with public presentation panic.
As a student
at Columbia, you're a hop, skip, and a jump away from a whole slew of
resources. One organization dedicated to helping people, like you, build
communication skills and confidence is Toastmasters International, which even
has local meetings in New York. For more information, visit Toastmasters
International. Another option is to take a public speaking course. If you're
worried about getting a poor grade, drop by your professor's office during
office hours to talk about your concerns. Or, you can take a trip to the Center
for Student Advising to speak with your advisor about the possibility of
auditing the course, taking it at another college, or other ways to deal with
your anxiety.
You describe
your anxiety as getting worse and affecting you in more situations; you may
benefit from meeting with a therapist who can help you develop strategies to
deal with your anxiety. Since you're a Columbia student, you can stop by or
call Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) at x4-2878 to make an
appointment. All of these options are available to you, and you shouldn't feel
the need to limit yourself to just one strategy.
Conquering fears.
As you think
about what the next step should be, it's important to remember your
communication strengths. It's also helpful to hone in on specific situations
where you're more or less nervous. For starters, can you think of times when
you've spoken in front of a group without feeling as edgy? What about speaking
with smaller groups or with one other person? What's that like for you? Does it
matter whether you know the audience on a personal level? Do you feel less
nervous when you're not being evaluated in a certain way (e.g., being graded)?
Have you noticed how preparation and familiarity with material is related to
un/easiness during a presentation? In addition, what are the pros and cons of
seeking help? What would life be like if you didn't have this fear? What possibilities
would open up to you? These are questions you could explore alone and with a
therapist to devise ways to alleviate your anxiety.
It really
seems that you're concerned with how your fear of public speaking has affected
your life. At the same time, you also have an eye to the future. Many people
have been in your shoes, and many still wear them, but it's comforting to know
that there are many ways to get help.
Go Ask Alice is the award-winning health reference website, fully produced and
funded by Columbia University, seeks to provide reliable, accurate information
in a sincere and sensitive way so people can make informed decisions about
their health and well-being. Go Ask
Alice! receives over 1,000 very honest and frank questions each week in seven
categories: alcohol and drugs, emotional health, fitness and nutrition, general
health, relationships, and sexual and reproductive health. Every question is
read, and each week a handful of health professionals give five new thoughtful
and thorough answers. Questions come from students, parents, teachers, professionals, and other
adults; however, most topics cover issues concerning college students.
10i1 at WIS
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